These partnerships have been so successful, all Washington prisons operate some kind of animal training/adoption program.

What is the Washington Prison Dog Program?

According to the Washington Department of Corrections website,these prison dog programs “benefit local communities, teach the inmates responsibility, and provide an incentive to maintain positive behavior while incarcerated.”

Trainer Jesse and his dog Fred (Sir Frederick) take a break from training to play a game of fetch. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.

The programs also saves lives as many of the dogs that go into the training programs would have been euthanized either because a shelter had no room for it or it had behavior problems because it wasn’t trained properly (or at all).

I’m a fervent supporter of dog training programs in prisons.

I first learned about them when I wrote about the Freedom Tails program at the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility in Aberdeen that’s run in conjunction with PAWS of Grays Harbor.

Our Experience Adopting a Prison Dog

I was so impressed with the program that when my wife and I were ready to adopt another dog after we had to put down one of our dogs, we adopted a 2-3 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever named Haley from the Freedom Tails program last June.

We adopted Haley from the Freedom Tails program at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.

As you can tell from this blog post,we couldn’t have had a better experience with Haley. Her transition into our home with our other dog and cat was virtually seamless. And because she had 10 weeks of basic training at Stafford Creek, she had no behavior issues.

If my post somehow convinced you to adopt a dog trained in one of Washington’s prisons, contact the shelter that partners with the prison.

Most states have prisons that have similar programs. Check your state Department of Corrections website to see if there is one near you.

Washington Prison Dog Programs

Below a list of the prisons in Washington that train dogs for the public. Note that some of them only train service dogs.

I recently learned that Echo Glen Children’s Center has a dog training/adoption program. It isn’t listed above because the facility is run by the Washington State Department of of Social and Health Services.

Comments

These are a win /win for everyone: dog, prisoner, and adopter. I adopted a 6 month old puppy the Marquette Alger Correctional facility: she is mix of Australian cattle dog, huskie and American Eskimo: she is a total delight! And although we are senior citizens, she is ideal for us! I recommend this and other programs like it for senior citizens, families and anyone who wants to rescue a dog, but does not have the skills or physical ability to train a puppy. She loves children, dogs, cats, chipmunks (too much) and never destroyed anything in the house although she was left alone with free reign from the day we brought her home. We were able to see how special the relationship she had with her trainer, via DVD! It was a total connection: but she quickly transferred to us. She still ,two years later, reacts especially excited to anyone who looks like her former trainer and gets excited when I play the DVD. It was truly a bond.

We are interested in getting a therapy dog. Or my daughter has attempted suicide twice, she is very depressed and very anxious and we think she could benefit greatly from a therapy dog it’s for Anna Strawder the red shoes attend the suicide drive and she loves dogs but she’s really depressed and anxious and she needs a therapy dog from helping her find one . Thank you for your help.

Actually we are called trainer or handeler not prisoner when we work with the dogs (at Purdy at least) we still have to do picture/face checks and still have to abide by the rules in fact even more so, we were housed in a dorm type setting and had our own rooms with a key and all. I was in the program while I was there and it was the best thing to ever happen to me (going to prison) I learned I have a very deep connection with animals and after being released started rescuing and also working with adult ferels to make them indoor friendly and I love it and have had no issues since released either

I am searching for another dog, for my family. We have 2 teen sons and a special needs daughter. This dog must be calm, potty trained and friendly. I would prefer a non shedding fur. We have a rescue dog now that is dying of cancer, and would like to know if there is anything that meets these requirements.
We are willing to wait for the next perfect fit for us. We live in Shoreline.
Thanks,
Evelyn Varne

I’m sure there are but you need to speak with rescues to find out what dogs they have that meet your requirements. Homeward Pet in Woodinville and NOAH in Spanaway are two good rescues that could help.

Hi, I am looking for a hypo allergic dog to help me with my fibromyalgia adrenal insufficiency, anxiety and just diagnosed with heart afib. I am taking allergy shots for cats and dogs but haven’t built up a toletence yet for most dogs. A hypo allergenic dog won’t bother me as I’ve had one before. I have a nice size yard and a safe place for a dog and my biggest wish would be a female labradoodle to be my love.

I am moving into my own home in the next 2 weeks. I have a nicely fenced yard as well as an off the leash dog park part of the housing development. I had a service dog who has since passed on, and am interested in getting another one. Although my physical needs are not nearly as critical and I probably wouldn’t need a service dog, I am 63 and need one that has had some training. The dog would be an indoor dog and would be left unattended rarely and for short periods of time. I am home all the time other than short appointments. I would like a lab, or a lab mix if possible. I would consider other breeds, but I don’t want a small high strung dog. Do you think that you will be able to help me, or can you point me in the right direction?

My name is Sheri Fournie. I am a Disabled Veteran with PTSD. I am in need of a companion critter, or Service Dog . I experience extreme anxiety resulting in panic attacks that limit my ability to participate in normal activities such as going into my own yard, grocery shopping, seeking medical treatment and sleeping. I recently had to put my critter down…..he was a 230 pound Wolf Hybrid that was the most gentle, loving critter I have ever had the pleasure of sharing space with. We stayed pretty close to home ( a forty acre ranch in the mountains at 3000 feet elevation….pretty isolated and secluded ) I know I can not “replace” him…. I am hopeful that there is a critter available that wants to come live with me. I prefer larger critters…Beaux pulled me out of a snow bearm that I could not get out of on my own….he was a Rescue Dog, in every sense!
Would it be possible for us the discuss the matter? My email address isTunkcreeklady@yahoo.com
I will provide my contact information through that venue.
Thank you
Sheri

Hello!
My name is Tammy Naranjo. I am a 50 year old lady with an extremely rare form of MD. I currently live in Pueblo, Co., however, my husband and I are planning on moving to Poulsbo, Wa in late spring/early Summer of next year (2018). I am in need of a service dog. I was set to start my process, here, this summer. However, we decided that it would be better if we waited until we were there so we wouldn’t upset the new dog and process, by moving across country, in the middle of everything.
I am wheelchair bound and considered quadriplegic. I can use my hands and arms to some extent. I also have a trach, so I would need either a golden retriever or a Labrador retriever, to do all that I would need.
Can you ,please, give me information on the cost and the process?
I do have a son and daughter-in-law who live there, whom we will be staying with for a couple months while selling my current home and looking for a new one there.
Thank you, in advance, for your help!
Sincerely,
Tammy Naranjo
719-568-1877trnaranjo1@gmail.com

Hey Robert. I founded All Mutts Great and Small dog rescue in Yakima 3 years ago and have a good candidate for the prison training system. Do the prisons accept dogs from sources not listed under their name? She’s a 2 year old Catahoula/ACD mix and boy does she need some help channeling her problem solving mind and hard work ethic. Her potential is limitless but she’s too much dog for the average adopter to train without professional help. This program was tailor made for her.

Hi, thanks for the message! I don’t think the prisons take dogs from people directly because they need to be assessed. You could contact the rescue group that works with a particular prison to see if you can give she dog to the prison through the rescue. I hope this help!

You are my favorite writer for continuing to share about these programs. I was cleaning out some old paperwork a few weeks ago and found the sheet of paper that started it all. Going to have to get it framed, can’t believe it has been over 10 years !!!

I was wondering if you or one of your readers could point us in the right direction?

I work for King County, WA and I work odd hours, we are looking for a Medium to Large dog to give comfort and security to my family while I’m at work, without the aggressive behavior. We recently lost our large dog due to Degenerative Myelopathy and are ready to adopt again. We have two children in the house (15 &18) along with two small dogs. We have a 2 year old Grandson who is at our house often, so we would need a dog that is good with younger kids.

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